Dwight Howard @DwightHoward

I’ve decided to become a member of the Houston Rockets. I feel its the best place for me and I am excited about joining the Rockets and I’m looking forward to a great season. I want to thank the fans in Los Angeles and wish them the best.”

It’s Official : Dwight Howard Signs with the Houston Rockets and Leaves the Los Angeles Lakers

Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak told the team’s website that Howard had informed the organization that he would not return to Los Angeles.

“We have been informed of Dwight’s decision to not return to the Lakers,” Kupchak said in a statement. “Naturally we’re disappointed. However, we will now move forward in a different direction with the future of the franchise and, as always, will do our best to build the best team possible, one our great Lakers fans will be proud to support. To Dwight, we thank him for his time and consideration, and for his efforts with us last season. We wish him the best of luck on the remainder of his NBA career.”

Earlier, after multiple sources said he was signing with Houston, a source told ESPN The Magazine’s Chris Broussard that Howard had landed in Los Angeles and contacted the Lakers, telling them he was 50-50 on his decision to sign with either them or the Rockets.

ESPN.com even had 50-50 on their website.

Howard’s call to the Lakers came hours after a person from his camp informed the team that he would not re-sign with Los Angeles, according to the source.

“He changed his mind,” the source said. “Hey, he’s Dwight. What can you say.”

The source said Howard had a possible change of heart because of the extra $30 million he would be leaving on the table if he signs with Houston.

The Lakers could have given Howard a five-year deal worth $118 million while Houston and all other teams can only offer $88 million over four years.

Dwight Howard’s deal with Houston is four years, $88 million. If he had stayed with the Lakers he could’ve made another $30 million and one more season.

The Rockets had gone to great lengths to clear the way for his arrival, remaking their roster and offering a chance to partner with James Harden on the team that went 45-37 last season and pushed his former Oklahoma City Thunder team to six games in a first-round playoff loss.